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Phospholipid Fatty Acids Analysis Service

Creative Proteomics offers precise Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) Analysis to support microbial research and environmental monitoring. Using GC-MS and HPLC, we quantify microbial biomass, identify community composition, and assess stress responses in samples like soil, water, and sediments. Our services enable accurate monitoring of microbial health, soil quality, and environmental impacts, aiding in applications such as biodegradation, bioremediation, and biotechnology research.

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List of Phospholipid Fatty Acids
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Sample Requirements
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Publication

What are Phospholipid Fatty Acids?

Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) are key components of cell membranes in all living organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals. Composed of fatty acids esterified to a glycerol backbone, PLFAs are crucial for maintaining cellular structure and membrane functionality.

In microbial communities, PLFAs act as biomarkers, enabling scientists to assess microbial biomass and community composition. Since PLFAs degrade rapidly upon cell death, they serve as reliable indicators of viable microbial populations. The composition of PLFAs varies across different microorganisms, providing unique signatures for specific groups of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.

At Creative Proteomics, we offer advanced PLFA analysis services that provide accurate insights into microbial biomass, community structure, and metabolic activity. Our techniques are essential for researchers, environmentalists, and industrial professionals studying microbial dynamics in diverse environments like soil, water, and sediments.

Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis in Creative Proteomics

Total Microbial Biomass Quantification

Estimate the total viable microbial biomass in environmental samples such as soil, water, or sediments by measuring the total PLFA content.

Microbial Community Profiling

Identify and quantify the relative abundance of different microbial groups (e.g., bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) through their unique PLFA signatures.

Microbial Stress Monitoring

Assess microbial health and stress in response to environmental factors such as nutrient limitations, contamination, or changes in pH.

Soil Health Assessments

Use PLFA analysis to evaluate soil microbial diversity, which is crucial for understanding soil fertility and sustainable agricultural practices.

Phospholipid Fatty Acids Classification We Can Identify

Microbial Groups
Functional Roles
Metabolic Pathway
Environmental Stress Responses

Microbial Group-Based PLFA Markers

Classifying PLFAs by microbial groups helps identify specific bacterial, fungal, and other microbial populations.

Microbial Group	PLFA Markers	Significance
Gram-positive Bacteria	iC15:0, aC15:0, iC17:0, aC17:0	Identifies Gram-positive bacteria, involved in organic matter decomposition.
Gram-negative Bacteria	C16:0, C18:1ω9, C18:2ω6,9	Represents Gram-negative bacteria, key for nitrogen cycling.
Fungi	18:1ω9, 18:2ω6,9	Specific to fungi, especially mycorrhizal fungi involved in nutrient cycling.
Actinobacteria	C16:0, C18:0	Present in Actinobacteria, vital for soil organic matter breakdown.

PLFA Markers by Microbial Function

This classification groups PLFAs based on microbial function, aiding in the understanding of biogeochemical cycles.

Function	PLFA Indicators	Microbial Groups	Functional Role
Decomposition	C16:0, C18:0, C18:2ω6,9	Decomposers (Bacteria, Fungi)	Involved in organic matter breakdown and nutrient cycling.
Nitrogen Cycling	C16:1ω7, C16:1ω5	Nitrifiers, Denitrifiers	Key players in nitrification and denitrification.
Sulfur Cycling	C16:0, C18:1ω7	Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria	Important for sulfate reduction and sulfur transformations.
Carbon Sequestration	C18:2ω6,9, C20:4	Anaerobic Bacteria, Actinobacteria	Involved in the mineralization of organic carbon.

Metabolic Pathways Involving PLFAs

Classifies PLFAs based on microbial metabolic pathways, providing insights into microbial biochemical processes.

Metabolic Pathway	PLFA Markers	Microbial Groups	Metabolic Characteristics
Aerobic Respiration	C16:1ω7, C18:1ω9	Aerobic Bacteria, Fungi	Reflects oxygen-dependent metabolic processes.
Anaerobic Respiration	iC15:0, iC17:0	Anaerobic Bacteria, Sulfur-Reducing	Represents anaerobic metabolic processes.
Fermentation	C18:1ω9, C18:2ω6,9	Fermentative Bacteria, Fungi	Indicates fermentative metabolism under oxygen-limited conditions.
Methanogenesis	C18:0, C16:1ω9	Methanogens	Specific to archaea involved in methane production.

PLFAs as Indicators of Environmental Stress

PLFA profiles reflect microbial adaptation to environmental stressors, providing insight into microbial resilience.

Environmental Stress	PLFA Markers	Microbial Groups	Adaptations
Temperature Stress	C18:1ω9, C16:0	Psychrotrophs, Thermophiles	Temperature impacts saturation/unsaturation of PLFAs.
Moisture Stress	C16:1ω7, C18:2ω6,9	Desiccation-Tolerant Bacteria, Fungi	Moisture changes affect microbial community composition.
Salinity Stress	C16:1ω7, C18:1ω9	Halophiles	Halophilic microbes adjust PLFAs to survive high salinity.
pH Stress	iC15:0, C16:0	Acidophiles, Alkaliphiles	pH stress alters microbial PLFA composition for survival.

What Methods are Used for Our Phospholipid Fatty Acids Analysis?

Creative Proteomics employs advanced Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques for precise and reliable phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis.

Agilent 7890A GC System (Figure from Agilent)

Thermo Fisher Q Exactive (Figure from Thermo Fisher)

Our workflow begins with the extraction of total lipids from environmental or biological samples using a solvent-based extraction method. The extracted lipids are then separated into phospholipids, which are hydrolyzed to release the fatty acids. These fatty acids are transesterified into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which are then analyzed using GC-MS or HPLC for detailed profiling. The resulting data provides accurate quantification of individual PLFAs, allowing for microbial community composition analysis, biomass estimation, and metabolic pathway assessment. Our methods ensure high sensitivity and specificity, capable of detecting trace levels of PLFAs even in complex sample matrices.

The workflow of phospholipid fatty acids analysis service.

Why Choose Our Phospholipid Fatty Acids Services?

High Sensitivity and Precision: Using GC-MS and HPLC technologies, we achieve detection limits as low as 0.1 ng/mL, ensuring reliable identification of microbial biomarkers, even in low-biomass samples.
Comprehensive Microbial Profiling: We can identify over 50 distinct fatty acids, covering Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, and more. This broad-spectrum analysis provides detailed microbial community insights.

Viable Biomass Quantification: PLFA analysis accurately estimates microbial biomass, expressed as cells per gram (cells/g) or cells per milliliter (cells/mL), offering a direct measure of microbial activity.
No Culturing Required: Unlike traditional methods, PLFA analysis doesn't require culturing, making it ideal for unculturable or slow-growing microbes.

Demo Results Analysis

PLFA Quantification Report

Results we provide:

Total PLFA concentration (e.g., µmol/g) to indicate microbial biomass.
Individual fatty acid concentrations (e.g., 16:0, 18:1, cy19:0).

Format:

Tabular data of fatty acid concentrations.
Graphical representation for comparison across samples.

Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis of soil samples

PLFA analysis of soil samples (Schütz, Frontiers in Microbiology, 2021)

Microbial Community Profile Report

Contents:

Relative abundance of microbial groups (e.g., Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi).
Biomarker identification for specific microbial groups (e.g., actinomycetes, mycorrhizal fungi).

Format:

Bar graph or pie chart showing microbial composition.
Cluster analysis to compare samples based on PLFA signatures.

Comparative Analysis Report

Contents:

Statistical analysis comparing PLFA content between experimental groups (e.g., treated vs. untreated).
Identification of significant changes in microbial community and fatty acid profiles.

Format:

Summary table with statistical results (e.g., p-values).
Bar charts to highlight differences.

Explore our Lipidomics Solutions brochure to learn more about our comprehensive lipidomics analysis platform.

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What Our Phospholipid Fatty Acids Analysis Used For

Microbial Community Profiling

Identifies and quantifies microbial groups (e.g., bacteria, fungi) in environmental samples, offering insights into biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Soil Health Monitoring

Assesses soil microbial diversity and biomass to improve agricultural practices and monitor soil quality.

Environmental Pollution Monitoring

Tracks microbial responses to pollutants, supporting bioremediation and ecosystem recovery efforts.

Biodegradation Studies

Tracks microbial communities involved in waste treatment and environmental cleanup.

Biotechnology & Biofuel Production

Supports biofuel research by profiling microbial communities involved in biomass conversion for higher yields.

Food Safety

Monitors microbial populations in food products to detect spoilage and pathogens.

Sample Requirements for Phospholipid Fatty Acids Analysis Solutions

Sample Type	Required Sample Amount	Collection Method	Storage Conditions	Recommended Preservation	Other Notes
Soil	10-50 g (dry weight)	Collect from surface layer (0-10 cm), avoid contamination	Store at -20°C or freeze until analysis	Dry ice, or immediate freezing	Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
Water (fresh or marine)	500 ml - 1 L	Filter through 0.2 µm filter for microbial analysis	Store at -20°C or freeze immediately	Filter samples, store frozen	Use sterile containers for collection
Sediment	20-50 g (wet weight)	Collect from sediment core, avoiding surface contamination	Store at -20°C or freeze until analysis	Dry ice, or immediate freezing	Avoid excessive moisture during collection
Bioreactor Samples	100-200 mL	Collect directly from bioreactor tank	Store at 4°C for up to 24 hours; for long-term storage, freeze	Use sterile, leak-proof containers	Avoid contamination from surrounding environment
Plant Root Samples	10-20 g	Cut roots carefully from soil, rinse to remove dirt	Store at -20°C or freeze until analysis	Quick freezing or dry ice	Avoid contamination with soil or other materials
Tissues (Animal or Microbe)	10-20 g	Collect tissue/microbial samples immediately after sacrifice or sampling	Store at -80°C or freeze immediately	Use cryogenic vials, store frozen	Ensure no thawing before analysis
Food Samples	50-100 g	Take representative sample, homogenize if necessary	Store at -20°C or freeze immediately	Immediate freezing or dry ice	Store in clean, sealed containers

FAQs for Phospholipid Fatty Acids Analysis Service

How long does analysis take?

Typically 2-4 weeks, depending on sample volume and complexity. Results are delivered after processing and quality control.

What data will I receive?

Quantification of total PLFA biomass.
Fatty acid profiles indicating microbial community structure.
Statistical comparisons of experimental groups.

What are the limitations of PLFA analysis?

Cannot provide species-level identification.
Focuses on viable biomass, not functional activity.
Limited to broad microbial groupings

Do I need to culture microbes before submission?

No, PLFA analysis doesn't require culturing, making it ideal for studying unculturable or slow-growing microbes.

Can I submit many samples?

Yes, we can process large volumes of samples with high-throughput capabilities. Contact us to discuss specific needs.

Publications

White matter lipid alterations during aging in the rhesus monkey brain. GeroScience, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01353-3
Characterization of Dnajc12 knockout mice, a model of hypodopaminergia. bioRxiv, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.06.602343
Annexin A2 modulates phospholipid membrane composition upstream of Arp2 to control angiogenic sprout initiation. The FASEB Journal, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202201088R
Lipid Membrane Engineering for Biotechnology (Doctoral dissertation, Aston University). Lipid Membrane Engineering for Biotechnology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.48780/publications.aston.ac.uk.00046663
Multi‐omics identify xanthine as a pro‐survival metabolite for nematodes with mitochondrial dysfunction. EMBO Journal, 2019. https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.201899558

Reference

Schütz, Vadim, et al. "Differential impact of plant secondary metabolites on the soil microbiota." Frontiers in Microbiology 12 (2021): 666010.

* Our services can only be used for research purposes and Not for clinical use.

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